Illuminated street sign



Oct. 4, 1938. J. MELIO 2,131,917

ILLUMINATED STREET SIGN Filed Feb. 17, 1938 Patented Oct. 4, 1938 l UNITED-STATES OFFICE `ILLUMINATED STREET 4SIGN v James Melia, chicago, 111. 1 Application February 17, ms, serial No. 190,944

4 claims. (Gly21c-1`a'3j This invention relates to illuminated signs, and particularly such as are appropriate for streetname signs.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of lantern construction, particularly designed for use in electrically lighted street-name signs; to provide a structure of this kind having an improved form of window panel frame that is readily demountable for replacement of broken panels; that is made of interleakage of light from the interior at all points except the window panels; and to provide a lantern structure of this kind that is comparatively linexpensive to manufacture.

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a street-name sign constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on the line II--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the individual side panels.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the pilaster or closure strip which is applied to the outer extremities of a star-shaped sign.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pilaster or cover strip that is applied at the joint between the inner ends of the side panels.

In the form shown in the drawing, the sign comprises a tubular post I having a fitting 2 clamped at its upper end by a strap 3 and appropriately arranged to support an incandescent lamp socket 4 connected by a cable 5 extending through the post to a source of electric current. A single lamp 6 serves to illuminate Vthe entire sign. Mounted on a flange 1 on the fitting 2 is a bottom plate 8 which, in the form shown is substantially star-shaped in contour.

A series of side panels linked together as shown in Fig. 2 form the side walls of the lantern.f

Each of these panels comprises a body plate 9 having a window opening I behind Which is vmounted a glass panel I I. These plates have flanges I2 turned inward and backward upon themselves along the upper end lower edges-of the plate to provide window grooves for supporting the glass panel II. The side plates 9 are provided with a pair of wings I3 at one end and a.

single wing I3.I at the other end, these wings being curled outward from the plane of the plate 9 to embrace hinge pins I4 and I4.i respectively. All of the plates 9 are exactly alike and the wings I3 and I3.I are so formed as to be'complementary to each other so that these plates may be connected end to end in interchangeable relation. The-window openings I0 may be rectanguf lar, as shown at the right of Fig. l, when the street name is `painted on the face of the glass panel, or may, themselves be cut to the form of letters, as shown at the left of Fig. 1.

The top plate I has a marginal contour similar to that of the bottom plate, but is preferably a stamping that is bulged upward at the center so as to form good drainage for water at all points of its area. The margins of the bottom plate 8 are offset downwardly at I6 along the lines occupied by the plates 9, and then extend horizontally outward to provide a ledgeV I'I for the plate and a downwardly directed edge margin I8. The upper plate I 5 has its margins offset to provide a rim I9 resting on the plates 9 and a downwardly bent edge margin 20. 'Ihis oiset-.

ting of the top and bottom plates prevents the entrance of moisture, and also serves to close the joint against the escape of light.

YIS

In order to close the hinge joints at the ends ends of the connected plates V9 as will be seen in Fig. 2, and their vertical edges are seated in ways 23 formed as anges extending outward from the vertical edges of the window openings in the panels 9. The bolts I4 and I 4.I serve both to connect the plates 9 in their hinged relation and to secure the top and bottom plates firmly against the edges of the side plates 9.

Although but one specific embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow sign of substantially star shape in horizontal contour, comprising a plurality of side panels hinged together in end to end zig-zag relation, top and bottom closure plates having marginal portions engaging said side panels, and hinge pins securing said side panels and closure plates together.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow sign of substantially star shape in horizontal contour, comprising a plurality of side panels hinged together in end to end zig-zag relation, each of said side panels comprising a plate having top and bottom anges bent inward and over to provide window grooves and having end wings curled outward from the plane of the plate to embrace hinge pins, top and bottom closure plates having marginal portions engaging said side panels, and hinge pins securing said side panels and closure plates together.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow sign of substantially star shape in horizontal contour, comprising a plurality of side panels hinged together in end to end zig-zag relation, each of said side panels comprising a plate having top and bottom flanges bent inward and over to provide window grooves and having end wings curled outward from the plane of the plate to embrace hinge pins, pilaster strips slidably embracing said curled wings to seal the joints between said plates, top and bottom closure plates having marginal portions engaging said side panels, and hinge pins securing said side panels and closure plates together.

4. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow sign of' substantially star shape in horizontal contour, comprising a plurality of side panels hinged together in end to end zig-Zag relation, each of said side panels comprising a plate having top and bottom anges bent inward and over to provide window grooves and having end wings curled outward from the plane of the plate to embrace hinge pins, top and bottom closure plates having marginal portions engaging said side panels, said marginal portions being offset about the edges of said side plates for light and moisture exclusion, and hinge pins securing said side panels and closure plates together.

JAMES MELIO. 

